Profile of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Progressive Pulmonary Disease in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India Incorporating use of Gelatine Coated Face Masks for Collection of Samples

Background: Non - tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental pathogens associated with biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The hydrophobicity of NTM results in preferential aerosolization from water, and many of these organisms are resistant to high temperature and are relatively resistant to low PH. After commitment of the Indian government to eliminate TB by 2025, extra - pulmonary TB has also gained equal attention along with paediatric TB and drug resistant (DR) TB. Aim and objectives: This study aimed to profile NTM species causing pulmonary disease in a rural tertiary care hospital in central India and evaluate the utility of gelatine - coated face masks for sample collection. Material and methods: A cross - sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to November 2021, involving 145 patients with progressive pulmonary disease. Sputum and gelatine mask samples were collected and analyzed. We have done Systematic random sampling in our study. Participants were selected from among patients visiting Medicine OPD or patients admitted under Medicine Department in rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India. Results: In the present study, Out of 121 cases of NTM culture group, majority 39 (32.2%) were in age group of 15 - 40 years. Mean age was 51.10 ?18.3 years ranging from 15 - 85 years. In gelatine mask group, out of 24 cases, majority 14 (58.3%) were in age group of ?61 years. Mean age was 57.70?19.6 years ranging from 15 - 85 years. Majority 100 (82.6%) and 21 (87.5%) of cases in both the groups had breathlessness followed by cough in 83 (68.6%) and 16 (66.7%) cases respectively in culture and gelatine mask group. Majority cases had no history of tuberculosis in both groups respectively as 97 (80.2%) and 20 (83.3%) and 100 (82.6%) cases in culture group and 20 (83.3%) cases in gelatine mask group had no previous history of treatment of tuberculosis. No NTM growth was observed in either sample type. The study highlights the challenges in diagnosing NTM and underscores the need for better diagnostic tools. Conclusion: No NTM growth was observed in either sample type. Better diagnostic tools are needed as the currently available equipment for the diagnosis, species identification, and drug sensitivity testing of NTM are not fully developed.